Ukrainian Premier League, first round
Valeriy Lobanovskyi Stadium (Kyiv)
Chief referee: Mihail Rada (Uzhgorod)
“Ingulets” is a team that has just risen from the second division. In addition to the change of the lineup, it also had to change the coaching staff. However, in the very first match, the Petrovsk team was one step away from taking points in the away match against “Zorya”.
No matter what condition the Luhansk team is in, they are still a brand in Ukrainian football. This is one of the reasons why those who decide the fate of the match come here to play. We are talking about Oleksandr Yatsyk, who continues to play on loan from Dynamo. And it was his goal-scoring performance that led to three points in the opening match for the Luhansk team.
After the initial confusion on the field, the teams began to create chances at both goals. First, after a counterattack by Zorya, Antyukh shot – Palamarchuk saved the guests, then there was a response from Bogunov and a one-touch shot – Turbaevsky also recorded a save to his credit.
Photo: UA-Football/Alina Erofeeva
In the 16th minute, Zorya opened the scoring thanks to the surprise and slight passivity of the opponent in defense. Goalkeeper Turbaevsky passed the ball to the left, then the ball through two passes (including an assist from Yatsik) reached Bašić – he shot from 23 meters. A ricochet from the defender helped the hosts: Palamarchuk was unable to save.
Photo: UA-Football/Alina Erofeeva
Bašić’s second goal in the Ukrainian elite. Interestingly, he scored his debut goal in the very first match after the break – in February of this year.
“Ingulets” did not lose heart and continued to attack after the missed goal. Volokhaty had a chance – he shot over the goal. And in the 29th minute, an excellent through ball was made by Oleksandr Pyatov, who brought the fast Belotserkovets to a striking position. The midfielder got ahead of his opponent in a fight and shot past the goalkeeper. Vladimir scored into the goal of his former team.
Only two minutes had passed since the visitors could have gone ahead thanks to the author of the assist in the previous moment. Pyatov hit the ball with his head – Turbaevskyi pulled it out from under the crossbar. At the start of the second half, the visitors also attacked more. Belotserkovets had a chance – he hit the ball past the goal and a shot from an acute angle from Kozak – here again the goalkeeper of the Luhansk team saved.
Photo: UA-Football/Alina Erofeeva
“Ingulets” tried to press, but over time the intensity and quality of attacks dropped. Kobin made the first substitution on the 79th minute – then the guests had already begun to gradually fail in defense. At the same time, Koval managed to make four shifts and noticeably refresh the lineup.
Towards the end of the match, Zorya pressed its opponents closer to the goal. And yet, in the added time of the second half, it snatched victory. Antyukh extended the ball along the left flank and crossed – in the penalty area, Yatsyk snatched the ball and shot into the right corner.
Later, another Dynamo player Benito could have put the final point in the match, but he shot over the goal from a killer position. That is why he is now playing on loan.
Three points gnawed out – all in the traditions of the UPL. “Ingulets” had the advantage in many parts of the match, but the implementation failed. “Zorya” looked stable throughout the match – in the end, they won.
“Zarya” – “Ingulets” 2:1
Goals: Bašić 16, Jatsik 90+2 – Belotserkovets 29
“Zarya”: Turbaevsky – Trontel, A. Jordan, Eskinya (Nwaeze 61), Wantuh (Juninyu 83) – Drishlyuk (Michin 62), Ya. Basic, Jacik, Kiryukhantsev (Gorbach 75) – Antyukh, Guerrero (Benito 46)
Ingulets: Palamarchuk – Melnychuk, Malysh, Shershen, Dubyley (Sydorenko 87) – Petko – Pyatov, Volokhatyy, Bohunov (Mohylny 79), Belotserkovets (Pushkarev 87) – Kazak (Rezepov 90+1)
